Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and World No. 1 Iga Świątek headline the entry list for the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open, which is set to begin on October 7. This prestigious WTA 1000 tournament is returning for the first time since 2019, when Sabalenka successfully defended her 2018 title, securing her fourth career title. That year, she overcame a tough draw, defeating Danielle Collins, Elena Rybakina, Ashleigh Barty, and Alison Riske-Amritraj in the final.
Since her Wuhan triumph, Sabalenka has grown into a dominant force in women’s tennis, winning three Grand Slam titles, most recently at the US Open. She is one of six Grand Slam champions to have earned direct entry into the main draw, alongside Iga Świątek, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Barbora Krejcikova, and Jelena Ostapenko. Representing the host country, China’s top-ranked player, Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, will lead the home contingent.
Notable Entries and Potential Withdrawals: Key Players and Alternates for the Upcoming Tournament
In addition to Sabalenka, 2017 Wuhan champion Caroline Garcia will also compete, being the only other former champion in the field.
The entry list is based on the PIF WTA rankings as of the week starting September 9, and it features all of the top 44 players, with only two exceptions. Linda Noskova is absent due to personal reasons, and Marketa Vondrousova, the Wimbledon champion, is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Ajla Tomljanovic is the only player to have entered the main draw using a special ranking (No. 33).
If any withdrawals occur before the tournament begins, the top seven initial alternates for the main draw include Marie Bouzkova, Amanda Anisimova, Zhang Shuai (using a special ranking), Peyton Stearns, Irina-Camelia Begu (also using a special ranking), and Elina Avanesyan.
Additionally, five other Grand Slam champions are listed as alternates: Sofia Kenin (No. 11), Sloane Stephens (No. 19), Bianca Andreescu (No. 21, using a special ranking), Emma Raducanu (No. 28), and Naomi Osaka (No. 30).
